This is the all-new Toyota Corolla sedan that is set to reach no fewer than 150 different markets as of next year. It looks better than before, drives better than before, and packs plenty of new tech features lacked by its predecessor - it is expected to reach showrooms around the world as of Spring 2019.

Toyota unveiled its new three-box Corolla at the Guangzhou motor show where it detailed the advantages of using the new Toyota New Global Architecture for this, the 12th generation of the nameplate, which - incidentally - is Toyota’s best selling vehicle ever.

Matching its newfound driving fun factor is its exterior appearance, which happens to borrow the angry looking face of the previously unveiled Corolla liftback, complete with its striking three-swoosh daytime running lights. The car is pretty much the same as the hatch up to the B-pillar, but it actually looks quite different as a sedan - what’s certain is that it doesn’t look as sporty as the hatch but, for a sedan in this class, it does tick the right boxes.

Unlike some rivals, it only offers a semi-digital gauge cluster with the option of two screen sizes. The larger setup has a seven-inch screen flanked by the tachometer on the left and temperature and fuel gauges on the right. The larger, eight-inch unit features a “high res” screen.

In order for the interior to look modern and up to date, Toyota has chosen to mix glossy and matte materials. It offers contrasting stitching and even mood lighting which is all the rage nowadays. The automaker also wants prospective buyers to know it’s lowered the car’s beltline, dashboard, and has slimmed down the A-pillars to improve outward visibility. The cabin is also said to be noticeably quieter than before too.

Toyota promises that the new Corolla sedan comes packed with a competitive level of gadgets aside from the aforementioned infotainment system that runs its latest Entune 3.0 operating system and offers Apple CarPlay, to go with Amazon Alexa voice commands.

Safety has not been neglected, according to Toyota, as the new Corolla offers enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology. It also comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 which includes PCS (Pre-Collision System), DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control), LDA (Lane Departure Alert), LTA (Lane Tracing Assist), AHB (Automatic High Beams), RSA (Road Sign Assist) and blind spot monitoring.

It puts out 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque and, while Toyota doesn’t quote its benchmark sprint time, it’s probably in the mid-8-second range.

People who want to row their own gears can rejoice as the Corolla will be available with a six-speed manual gearbox. The automatic transmission on offer is a revised Direct Shift CVT that has a simulated, ten-speed setup.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback.

Read our full driven review on the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback.

Read our full review on the previous generation Toyota Corolla.